Rafinha attacks Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

With Philipp Lahm’s retirement, Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was quick to confirm that Joshua Kimmich would be the club’s main option at right back going forward. Now Rafinha has come out with a response to Rummenigge’s comments, and he doesn’t mince words [via kicker]:

Rummenigge can say what he wants … but Carlo Ancelotti is the coach. He decides who plays or not. His competition at the position, Joshua Kimmich, has been tipped by many as the heir-apparent to Philipp Lahm. The 22-year-old has played infrequently at club level, but is a starter at the position for the German National Team.

Rafinha believes that he has the quality to fill the position:

I’m trying to do my work. I played with Philipp Lahm for six years and still played in over 200 games for Bayern Munich. I hope I get more playing time this season. I have the quality for it.

While it remains to be seen whether the 31-year-old can indeed beat out his much younger compatriot, the implication is clear. Rafinha is not ready to simply hand over the spot to Kimmich – he will fight for the position.